Rental Car Insurance Coverage
Reader’s Question:
What kind of car insurance coverage on my policy if I am going to rent a car?
George
Chicago IL
It actually depends on your policy.
What you should do is to study once again your policy or request your insurance agent to review it with you. Your policy may have coverages for autos rented for the purpose of vacation, special event or for pleasure, but not business.
If you do not have “physical damage coverage” or a complete and collision and comprehensive coverage, you may not have coverage for a rental car. Given this, if your rental car gets damaged, your policy may not provide lost revenue the rental car company incurs while the car is being fixed or the cost of a new car if you totally damage the car.
Do I Need Seperate Rental Car Insurance Coverage On My Policy
Reader’s Question:
My car is in the repair shop as of the moment. I have auto insurance on that vehicle. I would be renting a car next week. What I am not aware of is do I need to purchase a separate car insurance for the car I am going to rent? Is it not covered by the auto insurance policy that I currently have? I am from Manchester, New Hampshire.
Ron
Manchester, NH
This is really quite confusing on the part of the policyholder. What I could suggest you to do is to contact first your car insurance company and second your credit card company.
Once you’ve contacted your auto insurance company, you need to know how much auto insurance coverage you have on your car. In general, the policies you have in your vehicle would be applied on car you will be renting.
Now, let’s go to your credit card company. You don’t have to call all the credit card companies you have. The only credit card company you need to contact would be the credit card that you would be using for paying the rented car. Credit card companies offer insurance coverage. At the back of your credit card, you’ll find a toll free number. All you need to do is to call that number so you could ask more information about the car insurance coverage you could get.
If you have more questions about coverage on rental car, don’t forget to ask your car insurance agent in New Hampshire.
Auto Insurance For Rental Car With Underage Driver
Reader’s Question:
Can I still rent a car even if I’m under 25? What are the things I need to know? Would it help if I’m under my parent’s car insurance policy here in Oregon?
Janine
Hillsboro, OR
It is possible for people under the age of 25 to rent a vehicle. What you do need to realize though is that car rental companies are very hesitant in allowing under 25 year old drivers to avail of their services and if you are allowed a car rental agreement often this would mean some additional charges and restrictions. Being under your parents car insurance policy might help you get to be able to rent a car provided that the said car insurance policy extends coverage to you, normally as a named driver, and that it allows car insurance coverage to vehicles other than the one listed under the said policy. You should also check to make sure that you get enough comprehensive, collision damage, and liability insurance coverage that will extend to the rental vehicle you will be using.
You may also get additional help and car insurance protection if you use a credit card that offers car accident insurance. Try to find a car rental provider in Hillsboro that will agree to give good student discounts as well if you are performing well, academically. You can talk to your parents auto insurance agent to see if they could provide you a list of car rental services that allows under-twenty fives to rent a vehicle. They may even be kind enough to help you facilitate the whole rental process to your advantage.
Do You Need Rental Car Insurance Coverage Or Not
Reader’s Question:
I’ve never found renting a car enjoyable in the past but I would need to rent a car here in Springfield, Massachusetts for an upcoming business trip. My question, I guess, is if my car insurance company would still cover me even if I’m driving a rental car?
Tyla
Springfield, MA
Your auto insurance provider may still be able to provide adequate coverage for you when you rent a vehicle. In most cases, your comprehensive and collision coverages on your vehicle can also be applied towards your car rental agreement. It is best you speak to you auto insurance company and determine if your policy would include car rental services and up to what extent or limitations can they cover you for in the event you do get involved in a vehicular accident while using the rental car. You would also want to determine if your comprehensive insurance coverage would pay for loss of your belongings or the theft of the rented vehicle itself.
The car rental service there in Massachusetts would also offer you additional coverage in the form of a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) form. This would be a good idea if your car insurance has very limited or no coverage at all when your driving a rented car. An LDW would basically exempt you from financial obligations in case the rented vehicle is damaged or stolen. This could also avoid you having to be charged the daily car rental rate (known as “loss of use”) if the car cannot be used because it needs repair. If you will be using a credit card to rent the vehicle you may also want to call up your credit card company since most credit cards also provide some form of coverage when you use it to rent a vehicle. You want to know what you have so that you can make sure that you are not paying for any duplicate coverage while still maintaining adequate protection.
Do You Need Collision Damage Waiver Rental Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I’m told I still need to purchase a “Collision damage Waiver” since I will be renting a car here in Brookhaven, New York, for about a month or so. What if I already have car Insurance?
Dennis
Brookhaven, NY
Collision Damage Waiver (Also known as Optional Vehicle Protection) is a policy that is sold by a car rental company to their customers who do not have personal auto insurance coverage. Although the agreements you get from each car company may be different, they are required by the state of New York, under its Financial Responsibility laws, to provide sufficient auto insurance coverage towards their vehicles whenever it is rented.
Since you will be renting a car there in Brookhaven for about a month and you already have a personal car insurance policy under your name then you are no longer required to purchase this policy in order to rent a car. You do want to make sure though that your auto insurance policy does have enough comprehensive and collision coverage to pay for any loss or damages to the rented vehicle in case of an accident, which can otherwise be charged to you directly by the car rental service. The price of a Collision Damage Waiver policy usually falls around $12 a day but still depends on the actual cash value of the vehicle being rented.
You may also be interested to know that a lot of credit card companies already provide cardholders with some level of auto coverage if they use the credit card to rent vehicles. This means that you may get additional protection towards your rented vehicle aside from your current car insurance policy.
Under 25 Rental Car Insurance in Florida
Reader’s Question:
My teenagers are coming over to visit me here in Fort Lauderdale and would be bringing some friends with them. They want to rent a car to go around but they are under 25 so I’m wondering if my kids will be allowed to rent a car if they are under my car insurance policy?
Susan
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Most large car rental companies are either very hesitant to (or downright refuses to) allow anyone under 25 to rent vehicles. The fact is these companies are trying to avoid, as much as possible, risks and losses in their end of the business. Said risk mostly arising from underage/ teenage driving.
There is still a possibility that your teenagers could be allowed to rent a vehicle there in Fort Lauderdale provided that you are able to find a car rental company that provides this option. Your teenagers should also be listed as a named driver under your car insurance policy, and that said policy has collision and liability coverage that will extend to your teenagers and it allows them to get into a rental agreement without requiring your name to be on it as well. So it is very important that you talk to your car insurance agent as well about provisions in your car insurance policy, as well as any limitations that might come with it for you and your teenagers. Sunshine Rent A Car is among some of the car rental specialists in Florida that allows under 25 drivers with proper car insurance coverage to rent their vehicles.
You should also look into your credit card policy. Most credit card holders are entitled to have some degree of auto insurance that comes with using their credit card for car rentals and this may be enough to get your car rental agreement. There’s also some car rental company that will allow you to rent a car without personal car insurance as long as you agree to purchase the necessary coverages with them. Rates could go from 9$ to 20$ a day with this.
Who Is Responsible For an Accident in a Rental Car
Reader’s Question:
If the rental company in California, is the registered owner of a car and that car is rented out and got involved in crash, who is responsible for the damages?
carl
Fairfield, CA
Generally, when renting a vehicle from a rental company in California, the individual usually signs a form stating that the renter will be held liable for damages caused to the car. It include damages to other automobiles caused by the renter and if they were at-fault in the accident.
According to the CA Department of Insurance when renting a car, the car rental companies hold the renter liable under the rental agreement for damage to their car. It is also noted that the rental agency will offer a Damage Waiver for an additional cost.
So if a waiver is not bought, review your own car insurance policy to find out if any extension of coverage will be applied. In addition, know how the liability coverage afforded by your car insurance policy applies in case you are found at fault in an accident with the rented vehicle.
You may not need to purchase auto insurance from the rental vehicle if your own personal auto insurance coverages will cover the rental vehicle.
Who’s Insurance Pays For Rental Car While In Body Shop For Repair
Reader’s Question:
If someone hits my vehicle and needs to go into the repair shop for five days. Does the other party pays for my rental car while my vehicle is in body shop.? I live in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Phil
Indianapolis, IN
Insurance provider’s car insurance policy terms and guidelines vary as well as state laws. You will have to verify with the at fault driver’s insurance provider’s agent or claim department to determine if you are going to be provided with a rental vehicle while your automobile is being fixed.
Most property damage liability insurance policies permit at least a certain amount for you to rent a car while you are without your vehicle since it is being repaired however it will really depend upon the your insurance policy’s terms on what you are permitted. Other than talking to the insurance carrier handling the car insurance claim you may want to check what Indiana insurance laws tells about this kind of situation, if they have any specific insurance laws with regards to rental vehicle reimbursement, by trying to contact the Indiana Department of Insurance.
Rental Vehicle Insurance Kansas City Kansas KS
Filed under: Auto Insurance Quotes, Auto Insurance Tips, Insurance Quotes, Rental Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I rented a car and declined their insurance since I had credit card insurance in Kansas City Kansas. However, I made a mistake of not initiating the rental in that credit card. While driving the rental car, the tire blew out and the car hit the median. There was some extensive damage to the car and I’m in deep trouble now as my credit car insurance will not work. Is there any way that I can be saved from this situation, please help?
Anna
Kansas City, KS
Your credit card insurance in Kansas City, Kansas isn’t auto liability insurance and it doesn’t alleviate your responsibility to have it. And you don’t insure any of your own cars or home owner’s policy so if I were you, I would be calling my insurance agent quickly. Or I would hire an attorney to sue the car rental company for allowing you to drive a defective car.
My insurance automatically covers every vehicle that I drive in excess to the owner’s insurance so I’m fully insured on rentals.
If you don’t have auto insurance yourself or if your policy does not extend to rental cars then your only option is to make a payment arrangement for the damage to the rental vehicle yourself. By refusing the coverage with the rental agency and not using a credit card that provides the coverage, you accepted the entire risk yourself. Sorry, but I think there’s no way around that for the most part.
You may have a case to claim that the vehicle was not in safe operating condition due to the defective tire. Therefore the damage is because of the rental company’s negligence. That would only apply if you didn’t do anything that could have damaged the tire in the first place such as hitting a pothole or curb.
I strongly suggest consulting with a local attorney to see if there’s any to claim negligence on the rental company as a defense.
Tags: auto insurance, rental car insurance
Rental Auto Insurance San Diego California CA
Filed under: Auto Insurance Quotes, Auto Insurance Tips, Rental Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
My son is leaving Ireland tomorrow to fly to San Diego California. He has rented a car to drive in Seattle – everything appears to be arranged. But I want to make sure he has adequate car insurance that’s needed and required; he is over 25 years and has normal travel insurance.
Meryl
San Diego, CA
There are many credit card companies that will cover insurance requirements if you use their credit card to rent a car. I suggest that your son should check first with his credit card carrier before he leaves Ireland since once your son is here he’ll be pressured to sign up for every bit of insurance he can buy, whether he needs it or not. Rental car companies make tons of money this way.
Anyone who’s renting a car in the US from overseas will be able to purchase all the insurance he needs through a car rental company; both liability and collision. He’ll be completely covered if he asks for total insurance coverage but he needs at least liability insurance to get a rental car. All rental car companies would offer various types of insurance and waivers that broaden your liability protection and that can relieve you of the responsibility of paying for a wrecked rental. Anyways, rental car insurance by any name will cover you just the same. Having more is always preferred, but I think that’s the minimum. That means you’ll be protected from having to pay costly repair bills if you damage the rental company’s property.
To make sure that you get the best rates available in San Diego California for rental car insurance, it’s always advised to shop around; that’s your best protection.